Literacy Link - Leamos

Newsletter

January-February 2006

Inside This Issue

Coordinator’s Column

Quote of the Month

2006 Love Your Library

NMCL Midyear Report

Project Let’s Read

Rotary Literacy Center

Training Sessions

Calendar of Events

GIVE:  Looking for a new way to help?  Volunteer to work on our newsletter!  Call Michelle

Literacy Link-Leamos

515 W. College Avenue

Silver City, NM 88061

(505) 388-0892

literacylinkleamos@yahoo.com

Web site:  http://www.gilarangers.com

Leamos

Literacy Link – Leamos is partially funded by the   New Mexico Coalition for Literacy.

Coordinator’s Column

Give :  the  Season   Continues

Happy New Year!

Just when I thought all of the holiday gifts had been opened, I was delighted to see the tip of my Christmas amaryllis peeking through the peat moss.  A treasure yet to be enjoyed! 

This same anticipation is my approach to our new year 2006.  What sort of adventures, opportunities, and experiences will I choose to Give myself to?  There is a lot of competition for each of my 24/7’s and yours, as well.

Remember the old adage of teach a man to fish and its provision for his life?   I consider a day well spent as one that I Give to others a “fishing pole or fishing lesson.”  

As you read through this newsletter, you will find opportunities for you to Give yourself. 

GIVE: Get Involved Volunteers Energize

The work of Literacy Link – Leamos is done through dedicated volunteers and our collective strength and effort.  The answers to “How may I help?” are found in the Give of each entry of this newsletter.

When I thank a volunteer for the time and effort they chose to Give to their learner or our program, they usually respond with how much they have received from their giving. We each have experienced the truth of Give and you shall receive. Receive is not our motivation but is a natural consequence when we Give.  Let’s leave receive for a later date…..

Enjoy the treasure of each new day!

Michelle

Quote of the Month

As each day begins with a sunrise, every achievement begins with a dream.

 

2006 Love Your Library:  Explore Its Treasures

The fifth annual Love Your Library extravaganza will be held on Saturday, February 11^th, from 10 am to 1 pm. as volunteers of Literacy Link – Leamos welcome children and adults to our Public Library to Explore Its Treasures. This fun filled event for the whole family spotlights the books, materials, and services available at our public library and is our way of saying thank you to the staff of the Public Library for their support of our literacy program. The events and activities for the day will help families explore every nook and cranny of the library and find new treasures. Entertainment will include storytelling, sing along with Brandon Perrault, and the toe-tappin’ music of Fiddlin’ Friends. The Whitewater Extension club is arranging for some wonderful Valentine crafts. They know friendship is a true treasure!  Games for the whole family will include bingo, computer Scrabble and Boggle, board games, and a special LYL 2006 Treasure Hunt.  Book giveaways and door prizes will be treasures to take home. Refreshments will be served.

GIVE:  Volunteers needed to decorate and help during event; donations sought for door prizes and refreshments.  Contact LL-L’s volunteer contact Gail, 388-1747 or gail3469@yahoo.com

NMCL Midyear Report

Success is measured one learner at a time, progressing toward their goals. Our program documented the progress of 62 learners advancing towards their goals, helped by 30 tutors during the first two quarters of our 2005-2006 program year.  Tutors reported 1,087 hours of collaborative tutoring and preparation. Way to go!   

Other interesting statistics: one third of our learners and tutors are male; one fourth of our learners are children and teens; and basic literacy continues to be our learners’ greatest need.

GIVE:  Timely reporting of volunteer hours is greatly appreciated and is incredibly helpful in filing reports.

Project Let’s Read 2006

Goal: Book distributions at local schools and childcare centers where each needy child will select three books ‘as their very own.’

 Process:  Acquire books through the distributions of the National Book Bank and other sources.  Adhere LL-L label with program information and Target label in books.  Organize and arrange distributions at local schools.

Achievement:  A child tucking three carefully selected books in their backpack.

A generous grant from Target has provided the means for us to purchase books for Project Let’s Read 2005-2006. December’s shipments of 6,651   books are stored at space donated by Julie and Toby Bowen of Silver City Self-Storage, located at 13^th and Bennett Streets.  Workdays for labeling at the storage location have been scheduled for January and February, weather permitting.  We will continue to acquire a variety of books at all reading levels and for all ages for book distributions this spring.

GIVE:  Contact project chair Caroline Baldwin 388-8771 to volunteer for labeling books or for additional information on this exciting project.

Rotary Literacy Center

The library has been an exciting place to be, as the tutoring space of the Rotary Literacy Center is taking shape.  The main floor area is 90% completed with, three carrels and the online card catalog almost ready for use.  The enclosed bookshelves will provide needed storage for supplies and tutoring materials. The tutoring room has new furniture, including a lockable computer work station. When you visit the library, take a moment to enjoy the work in progress!

Special thanks to: Nancy Sullivan, RLC chair, and committee, especially Barry Remmel for staining the furniture and Frank Ferrara for the many hours in designing and assembling the carrels, as well as configuring and setting up the computers. Your hard work is really appreciated!

Training for Tutors and Program Volunteers

We have purchased a variety of computer programs and software made possible through a grant from the PNM Foundation. Programs were purchased with your learner in mind and include: The Alphabet for ESL and literacy learners, GED Practice, and Math for Everyday. Training for tutors and learners is essential to maximize the use of our newly acquired computers and software. This training is currently being designed and scheduled, made possible through funds from the Southwest Area Workforce Development Board.

GIVE: Your input on training times and skills you need to use computers as a tool while tutoring. Please talk with Michelle, 388-0892 ASAP.

ProLiteracy Certified Basic and ESL Training for Tutors is scheduled for April 6 and 7 from 9 am to 5 pm.  This free training sponsored by the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy certifies tutors in both areas and includes a complimentary six month registration of ProLiteracy America membership.  If you have not attended basic or ESL tutor training, please plan to join us for this 2-day workshop. LL-L will provide snacks, lunches, and all needed materials.  Registration is limited to 25, so call the LL-L office to register today!

Announcements, etc.

Where will you find updates on training and other LL-L events?  Several places:  our website; bulletin boards in the office, tutoring room, and by the library’s copy machine; and in the local newspapers.  Still have a question? Just call Michelle at the LL-L office.

Website:  The current newsletter, announcements, and all forms used by the LL-L program are available at www.gilarangers.com/leamos.htm.  Visit today!

Tips for Tutors

Using a variety of activities during each tutoring session extends the attention span of most learners and makes the session more interesting. Consider incorporating computer instruction in your lesson plans.